When I'm Hungry ((Open))

[Kaliyah Shah]

After being dropped off by a car at the gate, Callie took her duffel bag and headed out in search of some place to eat. Frankly, she was starving and getting settled in could wait.

It took her a little bit, but eventually someone pointed her in the direction of the cafeteria. Getting some lunch, Callie sat down, bowing her head momentarily before starting to eat.

[Bobby Bowen]

At the table next to her, a guy, wearing coveralls and apparently composed of entirely of brass, sat. He was digging into some very British porridge.

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Morning," Callie says happily.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Morning. You're chippy today, huh?" He replied, with a small hint of a smile.

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Why wouldn't I be?" Callie says with a cheerful smile, "It's a nice day outside. Cool and breezy with some gorgeous clouds. And I just found out the food here ain't awful."

[Bobby Bowen]

"You must not have gotten the porridge then. Good choice."

He scooped up a chunk and let it glop into his bowl for emphasis.

"It is a nice day, for sure."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Gonna take advantage of it? Cut out for the day?" Callie asks.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Nah, I wish I could, but I've got cars lined up for service in the garage. I'll enjoy the walk back as much as I can, though!"

[Kaliyah Shah]

"You're a mechanic?" Callie asks.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Yep. You a student?" He asked in reply.

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Always," Callie says, "Isn't everyone though? Even if you don't go near a class today, you'll probably learn something new."

Callie smiles, "Anyway, I'm Callie. Kaliyah Shah, actually, but Callie to just about everyone."

[Bobby Bowen]

"Robert Bowen. But just call me bobby. Proprietor of The Brassworks, and reserve x-guy when needed."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Good to meet you, Bobby," Callie says.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Ditto, Callie."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"You said you were with the teams a sec ago," Callie says, "What's that like?"

[Bobby Bowen]

"What have you heard?" He asked, curious how a newcomer perceived the x-men.

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Well, I heard you guys were a bunch of race-traitors that are no better than the people you end up fighting," Callie says, "But I've had odd company the last few years."

[Bobby Bowen]

"Yeah, we get that, sometimes. Mostly after something big blows across the island. You can't please everyone."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"You still didn't answer my question," Callie points out.

[Bobby Bowen]

"... No, the x-men are not race traitors. And neither are the Brotherhood. Nor the acolytes or the Morlocks."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Uhm. That's nice," Callie says, "But I meant my earlier question. About what it's like."

[Bobby Bowen]

"It's tough, but fulfilling. You take what genetics gave you, and use it to make a difference, rather than crawling to a corner and cursing your genes."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"You really don't need to be so defensive, y'know," Callie says.

[Bobby Bowen]

Bobby looked at her fora moment, smirked, and then resumed eating.

"Cute. Very cute."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"I'm sorry?"

[Bobby Bowen]

"You're sorry you put me on the defensive? Cool." He replied.

"I accept the apology."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Well, that's good," Callie says cheerfully, "I'd hate to offend the first person I met at my new school."

[Bobby Bowen]

"Good to meet you, Callie."

Bobby got up, taking his empty breakfast tray with him.

"I need to get back to the town. Catch you around."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"I'll be seeing you," Callie says, "Remember to enjoy the day."